STOGURSEY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2016
IN THE VICTORY HALL STOGURSEY
MINUTES’ SILENCE IN RESPECT OF BRIAN SLADE:
Prior to the start of the meeting the Chairman paid respect to Brian Slade who passed away on 9.9.16 and offered condolences to Brian’s family. Members then stood for a minute’s silence.
PUBLIC FORUM:
No items were raised.
PRESENT:
Cllr Allan Searle (Chairman), Cllr Val Boxall, Cllr Geoff Coles, Cllr Ian Elenor, Cllr Sue Goss, Cllr Susan Jones, Cllr Chris Morgan, Cllr Paul Tipney, Cllr Keith Turpin, Aly Prowse (Clerk), County Cllr Hugh Davies, 1 member of the public.
The Chairman introduced and welcomed Gillian Orchard, our new parish clerk.
61/16 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Chris Ford.
62/16 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 12.7.16:
The minutes for the meeting were AGREED and signed by the Chairman.
63/16 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
There were no declarations of interest.
64/16 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT (Cllr Hugh Davies):
1. Cllr Davies advised the new commercial bus service with effect from 31.10.16 offers no service from Stogursey, only from Cannington, except when the school bus is running.
2. Roadworks will commence at West Quantoxhead from 14.9.16 – 14.10.16; traffic lights will operate during the day but the road will be closed at night. Taunton bridge works (near the train station) on 7.9.16 for 5 days.
3. Williton Hospital will be reduced to 8 beds for stroke victims.
4. The decision was taken to proceed with the Customer Access and Shared Assets Project at West Somerset House.
5. P.Farmery advised Cllr Davies that he will be arranging a meeting with Highways and the School in relation to traffic calming outside the School.
65/16 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT:
Cllr Goss
1. Cllr Goss advised that following the street cleaning contract tendering process, the contract has been awarded to Landscape Group, the same contractor as used by Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) and Mendip. Councils will be able to buy in services at a competitive rate.
2. Cllr Goss advised the Quantock Panel Chairman that it is not acceptable to have meetings on the second Tuesday of the month as it clashed with our meetings. After January 2017 the Chairman will rotate the meetings to give all Councils the opportunity to attend. Sue Mountstevens will be attending the Panel meeting on 6.12.16 which will be our opportunity to question her on a range of issues.
3. Hinkley C – approximately 800 people are now working on site; a lot of work is ongoing in the north west corner; 2 of the 3 batching plants are complete and work is starting on the third; preparations to start work on the jetty will commence once Hinkley C is approved by the Government. I.Liddell-Grainger and D.McGinty (SDC) are meeting with the Prime Minister on 14.9.16 to discuss Hinkley C.
Cllr Morgan
4. Cllr Morgan outlined the implications of the approval in principle of TDBC and WSC becoming one sovereignty Council as intimated in minute 46/16. The Boundary Commission will review the Wards. Cllr Morgan responded to several questions from members that included:
VAB – What is the timescale? CM - consultation will be ongoing, but the new arrangement is due to be in place during 2019.
PT – Would WSC be allowed to keep the business rates from Hinkley C, because if so WSC may have no need for the merger? CM - Business rates will not commence until Hinkley C generates, so would not be early enough to save WSC.
PT – Is the decision reversible? CM – No
PT – Is Sedgemoor District Council out of the picture altogether? CM – No, nothing is ruled out and if another solution was forthcoming it would be considered.
66/16 REVIEW OF ACTION LIST (By exception):
Item 1 Paddons – Cllr Turpin said there has been a lot of activity on site with foundations being dug up and ground levelling works. Cllr Seale advised that WSC had no prior knowledge of this work. A resident had told him that the WSC Enforcement Officer had been on site 10 days ago. Cllr Goss said the developer can carry out landscape works if he wishes and Cllr Morgan added that he did not think the developer had done anything illegal.
Item 5 Earplug Scheme – The clerk suggested it might be appropriate to issue the CIM customer feedback forms now that work at Hinkley C is ramping up. Action: Clerk.
Item 7 BRPA Litter Bin Agreements – These have not been issued as ‘recompense’ for poor service. It was AGREED to let the agreement authorisation to take its course, led by WSC.
Item 9 Pop-Up Sports Equipment – Items received at a cost of £257 and will be stored in the Victory Hall. Complete.
Item 11 School Room – J.Stone was advised that the grant application was not approved. Complete.
Item 14/22 Thank you letters – These were sent to A.Goodchild, R.Calder and S.Foster. Complete.
Item 15 Castle St Flood Scheme – The lengths-man removed the vegetation from the stream. Complete.
Item 17 Burgage Rd Play Area Bins – The bin will not be moved now that the Perspex has been removed from the shelter. Cllr Searle asked if members would consider getting a cover made of metal for the shelter which would provide shelter and make it safe. It was AGREED to obtain a quotation for this. Action: Cllr Searle.
Item 18 The Pound – Cllr Jones has cleared and sprayed the weeds. She will clear the weeds on top of the wall next. Cllr Searle advised that weed spraying is subject to a license when undertaken in public areas.
Item 19 Water Supply to the Gravel – Cllr Searle is waiting for the cabinet to be made up. Once this is complete, and the taps have been purchased, Wessex Water will connect the supply. Action Ongoing.
Item 20 Parish Champion - The nomination of Rose Nurton has been submitted. Complete.
Item 23 Shurton Vegetation Removal – This has been carried out by the lengths-man. Complete.
Item 24 Stogursey Arts Festival Grant – A letter and cheque has been actioned. Complete.
67/16 HINKLEY POINT POWER STATIONS:
Cllr Goss reported that the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) is seeking leave to appeal against a High court judgement that it had botched the award of a £7 bn contract given to Cavendish Fluor to enable further decommissioning of the Magnox power stations, including Hinkley A. (If the ruling is upheld the government could be exposed to claims worth millions of pounds from Energy Solutions and Bechtel).
68/16 HINKLEY C COMMUNITY IMPACT MITIGATION (CIM) UPDATE:
1. Feasibility Study Village Hall
Cllr Boxall reported from the meeting on 12.9.16 that there will not be as much money as first thought. If the new build goes ahead, it will be smaller than the existing Hall and will not include all the things that are wanted. The plans will be put to the Trustees on 20.9.16. The feasibility study is virtually finished as there are only sufficient funds to pay for 3 hour’s work.
2. Lengths-man Scheme
The contract specification is finished and ready to go out to tender. Maps of the village and hamlets have been updated detailing the areas of work required as agreed at the Village walk on 9.8.16. Invitations to tender will be sent to three contractors. Action: Clerk. The closing date will be 24.10.16. Site visits will be arranged between Cllr Searle and the contractors. It is hoped other councillors will accompany the site visits.
69/16 PLANNING:
1. Tree Preservation Order (TPO) The Coach House, High St (Information)
2. CA/32/16/004 – Tree works Stogursey Castle, Mill St – GRANTED
3. 3/32/16/013 – Acland Hood Signage, Clayland Corner – WITHDRAWN
4. 3/32/16/014 – Installation of new window, Stolford Farm (Listed Bldg. consent)
5. Cllr Jones raised a potential planning issue at Zine Cottage where a very large building is being erected. She is unsure whether it is subject to a planning application. This will be followed up. Action: Cllr Morgan.
70/16 APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK:
Following the interviews of 3 potential candidates on 6.9.16, Gillian Orchard has been appointed. She will start week commencing 3.10.16. The existing clerk will be working alongside Gillian during a handover period. Cllr Searle suggested at least 10 hours ought to be allowed for this period. This was AGREED as proposed by Cllr Elenor and seconded by Cllr Boxall.
71/16 REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS (section 5f):
Cllr Morgan raised this with regard to succession for the Chairman’s position. He feels that a 2 year limit should be put on a serving Chair to ensure the role is rotated and we are not dependent on one person. Cllr Searle said that at times Vice-Chairs have not wanted to take the role of Chairman and thinks two years does not give sufficient time to learn the job.
Cllr Goss suggested that when someone takes on the role of Vice-Chair they do so on the assumption they will eventually succeed as Chair, as happens at Holford and Kilve. Cllr Boxall said this is all very well as long as someone wants to do it. Cllr Tipney said he doesn’t quite agree with a two year term, favouring a full electoral term to give sufficient time to learn the job.
It was generally agreed that Cllr Searle is relied upon heavily to be always available and this is neither fair on him nor the expectation of any new Chair. After much debate, it was AGREED that Standing Orders will be amended to state that the Chairman’s role will be a fixed three year term as proposed by Cllr Morgan and seconded by Cllr Elenor. Action: Clerk
Cllr Morgan left the meeting at 8.35pm
72/16 CCTV IN BURGAGE RD PLAY AREA:
We have received calls from residents concerned about vandalism in the play area and suggested the play area could be locked at night. Cllr Searle is reluctant to do this as he thinks youngsters will only try to scale the fence and/or vandalise it. Cllr Goss said Nether Stowey has CCTV in their MUGA. Cllr Boxall would not like to see cameras everywhere. Cllr Searle said we could investigate small unobtrusive cameras, but suggested we monitor the play area between now and Christmas and if things do not improve, review again. In the meantime we will check with P.Bolton to ask if he has managed to find out about the CCTV systems in Minehead and Watchet. Action: Clerk
73/16 ALLOTMENTS:
At the request of Cllr Coles, the Clerk sent a letter to allotment holders as some of the allotments are in a poor condition. We asked that the standard improves by the end of September; that the Clerk is notified if there are any extenuating circumstances or any allotments that are no longer required as we have a long waiting list. Cllr Coles said there has been an immediate improvement with an issue at only one, due to illness which has been notified to us. The allotments will be further inspected in October. Action: Cllr Coles.
74/16 SIGNAGE AT CANNINGTON BY-PASS ROUNDABOUTS:
The response from A.Coupe was not well received by councillors, especially the suggestion we could have signage to Stogursey as long as we are prepared to pay £5000. There are many instances of visitors travelling to Stogursey via Fiddington. Cllr Elenor said “Sat Navs” do not recognise the C182, so vehicles are directed to Keenthorne. Cllr Goss said it would appear SCC are more concerned with Hinkley Point considerations (e.g sign posting Combwich because of the wharf) than the local community. A further letter will be sent to A.Coupe advising we are not satisfied by his response; that all we require are some simple signs that could be attached to existing posts. Photographs will be taken to illustrate where signs could be added at the roundabouts. Action: Clerk.
In addition, this issue will continue to be pursued at the Transport Forum. Action: Cllrs Turpin and H.Davies.
75/16 MEETING REPORTS:
1. 13.7.16 Main Site Forum
Nothing of note to report.
2. 15.7.16 Lengths-man
Cllr Searle advised that the contract is progressing and the Village walk on 9.8.16 identified the areas of work required.
3. 21.7.16 Transport Forum
Cllr Turpin explained the signage issue was again raised; an update of the roadworks was given including the Environment Agency work at Cannington reporting that it is on target to finish in 12 weeks.
4. 27.7.16 West Somerset Flood Group (WSFG)
Cllr Elenor said the WSFG had been given an award of £1000 based on community involvement. He will be following up item 20 on our action list (Little Water and Newnham Farm). Action: Cllr Elenor.
5. 16.8.16 - Environment Agency (EA) Stolford Flood Defence Scheme
Cllr Jones outlined the key points from the drop-in session. Basically, the shingle ridge constantly gets swept away by the tides, so the scheme is planned to extend the rock bank further along the coast to improve protection to the village. The cost is estimated at just over £1m, with the EA providing £700k. The EA are hoping the shortfall could be met by CIM funding but believe an application from the parish council would be better received. It was AGREED to invite the EA to a parish council meeting so that we gain an appreciation of the scheme. Action: Clerk. Information and photographs will be placed in the circulation pack. Cllr Davies suggested we contact the Somerset Rivers Authority to seek funding, as Councils’ precept towards the flood fund, although Cllr Goss stated the fund had not been set up to accommodate coastal flooding.